2000 Fiat Punto 8v from UK and Ireland - Comments

Today, I suspect either the radiator is dead or the head gasket has blown since it is overheating constantly today. I took it to the garage, but they couldnt find anything wrong, or rather couldnt identify what was wrong.

It is leaking water and stuttery when driving cold.

Taking it to the garage tomorrow to see what the damage is, hopefully they can find out what it is.

I am already thinking about what car to buy next, I've had it for three months.

And that bloody annoying metallic rattling sound that I can't identify is driving me slightly nuts (always makes that noise at low revvs when the car shakes a bit and also when you make turns or go over bumps). Not the best quality, but cheap. Wish I had read up on it before getting it.

Morning Chaps & Chapettes.

My W plate 2000 has gone into the Dr's this morning to have its thermostat replaced, purchased for a mere £12 (incl VAT!), the fitting of which will set me back £35 plus VAT. Was going to do it myself, but didn't have the correct tools and more worried about causing more issues like air-blocks etc. Now I'm praying this will resolve the following issues:

Revving when it wants to,

Juddering when idling and when pulling off,

Heater fan working when it wants to,

Blowing cold air,

Over heating (red warning light coming on/off),

Hose into Radiator Hot, Radiator Cold, Hose out Cold,

(Radiator Fan works though!)

Coolant coming out of expansion tank.

Now the reason why I'm praying it will work is because my local Fiat Dealer seems to think that will resolve the issue. His first diagnosis was that it potentially be the Head Gasket problem, but changed his mind when I told him his dealership changed the Head Gasket 10'000 miles earlier! Other advice that I have been offered is that it could be ECU (available on ebay for about £125.00) or the coils, or it could be a combination of both. Or, it could just be a blockage.

Now I've had the car since new, dealer serviced, and currently it has done 53'000 miles. It has had the following done:

Handbrake cable x 2

Accelerator cable

New exhaust (rear) x 2

Head gasket/skim (42'500 miles)

Cam Belt

Battery change

Clutch change.

Apart from the above, the car is great to drive, poky (for a 1.2 8v), comfortable, lots of headroom. Does that compensate for the repairs for a car that has done an average of 7'500 miles pa, regularly serviced? I don't think so!! Spookily enough, major faults tend to occur not long after services...?

I will update all once I have the baby back today or tomorrow.

Got a punto!!!

3 days later clutch and gearbox died..

Next day I go out 2 start it up..

Power steering has gone...

Jokes.

Not happy.

Wow. Buyer beware. Bought '02 1.2 recently.

I wouldn't mind, but the missus is 6 months pregnant and the power steering went whilst driving.

Can anybody suggest a way to get Fiat to recall these death traps?

Isn't it against trade descriptions to call it a car?

Hi, bought my punto w reg. the other day, found whilst driving home that the steering alignment is quite badly out and the accelerator decides 2work on its own with no help : (. I hope its just the cable getting stuck open, but fear for the worst!!

Oh ye and its cold 2night and tried 2start my car 2find out that it didn't wanna play ball lol wish me luck!!!

Been reading all your reviews and can honestly say I can't share the same problems with you I have got a 1.2 8v 2004 and had a exhaust fall off, but getting a stainless one to avoid that happening again other than that I have had it 18 months and it has been good to me electric are fine 4 years old now and it is still in good condition.

I firstly have to say I wish i'd read up on punto's before buying one!!

I've had it for 6 months now and I'm now lookin to get rid - having the head gasket repaired/skimmed whatever the technical terms are - I don't care anymore just need to get rid! I'm gonna have to TRY and sell it on, but i'd feel so guilty selling it privately so need to px it! Fiat should be ashamed of themselves for selling such garbage!

Fix It Again Tommorow (Fiat).

I have got a Punto on a V reg. The carb keeps popping, jumping whilst driving, no power.

After it's hot it won't start, but the engine light doesn't come on. So does that mean it's not a serious problem? Can anyone help me?

Hi; I have a Fiat Punto ELX 2000 and have had it from year 2000. Unfortunately, I've been having problems from the warranty period to date. Don't buy FIAT! First of all the trouble: I had to change the steering, computer motherboard, a gasket, electric windows(2 times, both passenger side and driver side).

Next, it seemed nothing was good: petrol pump, radiator, the suspension, and now the steerring is not functioning again. And the cherry to top off the cake, I also had problems with rust. It seems as if I have replaced nearly all the parts of my car... disgraceful.

We have a punto 2004 reg. It has mainly been fine, just 2 problems: exhaust fell off about a year ago and today broke down on the way home because the clutch had gone...

Hi, the gear linkage cable on my Fiat Punto 1.2, which is 3 years old and has done just 15000 miles, has snapped and as I am 1 month out of warranty will cost £260 to fix. Is this a common problem??!! I had only just had it service costing £280 and it has already had a new gearbox after 10000 miles what next???!!!

I would like to say, having owned my Punto 1.2 X reg for four weeks, it has been more trouble than it's worth. I would never buy a Fiat again. If any one out there is thinking of buying one, don't.